The Corsons Started with Lobster. This Is the Next Chapter

May 4

The Corson family built their reputation on lobster. First with Travelin Lobster, a roadside operation rooted in the waters of Frenchman Bay. Then with their expansion into a second location, Frenchman Bay, where the concept grew into something more established, but still firmly tied to the product that started it all.

Siren & Sailor marks a different kind of move.

Opened this spring in downtown Bar Harbor, the restaurant steps away from the singular focus on lobster and leans into something broader. “We didn’t want another lobster roll spot,” Nick Corson said. “We wanted something new.” The idea came together quickly after the opportunity to take over the waterfront space presented itself. The building was stripped down to the studs, rebuilt largely by the family, and shaped by a vision that pulls from both coastal Maine and the kinds of places they seek out when they travel.

Inside, the tone shifts from bright and casual to low-lit and atmospheric. Nautical details run throughout, from rope-wrapped lighting to a mermaid mounted along the wall, giving the space a sense of personality without losing its approachability. “We wanted good drinks, good food, and a place people stay awhile,” Corson said.

The menu follows that same balance. It’s what the team describes as elevated pub food, with dishes like a farm burger, crab hush puppies, and a skillet mac and cheese arriving alongside housemade pastas and seasonal plates. The ingredients reflect the same sourcing philosophy that built their earlier businesses, just applied more broadly. If it’s not coming from the water, it’s coming from nearby farms.

At the bar, the shift is even more visible. Cocktails are designed with presentation in mind, from drinks served in novelty vessels to others finished tableside with smoke or fire. The goal is to create something memorable before the first sip. “Everything here is meant to feel like an experience,” one team member said.

Despite the change in direction, the throughline remains clear. Siren & Sailor is still very much a Corson family operation, now running three distinct businesses across Bar Harbor. The food may look different, but the foundation is the same: local roots, a hands-on approach, and a willingness to evolve.

Famous for:
Tiki-leaning cocktails, elevated pub food, and a place to stay awhile.

7 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME | sirensailor.com